Senior benefits in Rice County, Kansas

The South Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SCKAAA), based in Arkansas City, serves Rice County. Its local office is the Rice County Council on Aging in Lyons, phone 620-257-5153. SCKAAA offers case management, help at home such as personal care, homemaker, respite and chore services, information and referrals, and help for family caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren. Friendship Meals are served at meal sites or delivered to people who are homebound, for people 60 and older and their spouses; call 24 hours ahead to reserve a meal. Call the county office or SCKAAA toll free at 1-800-362-0264.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

There is no Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) service center in Rice County. DCF lists Rice County in its Southwest Region; the closest Southwest Region service centers are in Hutchinson and Great Bend: Hutchinson (1700 E. 11th Ave., Hutchinson, KS 67501, 1-620-663-5731); Great Bend (1305 S. Patton Road, Great Bend, KS 67530, 1-620-792-5324). Kansas DCF handles Food Assistance (SNAP), Cash Assistance, Child Care Assistance and Utilities & Energy Assistance. You can apply online through the DCF self-service portal or call the DCF Benefits Assistance line at 1-888-369-4777.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Rice Community Health (Hospital District #1 of Rice County) in Lyons and Sterling has a financial assistance policy for medically necessary care. Help is based on your ability to pay. The policy says eligibility is based on income for people who do not have private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare, and it also covers people who face hardship paying the part of the bill they owe. Elective procedures are not covered. You must live in Rice County or be an established patient, agree to be screened for programs like KanCare Medicaid, use any other payment sources first, and fill out the application. Call the Patient Accounts Office at 620-257-5173 to talk about whether you qualify.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Quivira Transit, run by the Rice County Council on Aging, gives rides to the general public of all ages in Rice County. A one-way trip costs $2.00 in the City of Lyons and $3.00 out of town from Lyons. A $30 punch card has 20 punches at $1.00 each. Round trips to Hutchinson, Great Bend or McPherson cost $25.00, and to Wichita, Salina or Hays $40.00. Call 620-257-5153, Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to schedule; rides are first come, first served. If you have Medicaid, call the transportation number on the back of your insurance card and ask for the Rice County Council on Aging; your rides may be free.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year